Photo of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Watering Tree in the Rain: Hoax

Photo of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Watering Tree in the Rain

Story:

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Watering Tree in the Rain

Other Versions

Justin Trudeau Waters a Tree in the Rain

Analysis:

A picture in circulation on social media sites like Facebook comics a photograph showing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Watering a Tree in the Rain, under an Umbrella held by a guard. The picture that bears the text ‘Without Government Who would Water Trees in the Rain?‘ is in fact a fake one made by digitally altering a picture that does not have the Canadian Prime Minister.

Original Photograph

Fake Photograph

On 27th Jan. 2017 Facebook page Justin Trudno posted the picture in question suggesting the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Waters a Tree in the Rain. The post soon garnered thousands of shares and became popular on social media:

However, Justin Trudno is a satire page about Canada PM and the photograph is an edited one. The original photograph actually shows Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko watering the plant.

Original Photograph

Planting Tradition in Belarus

The original picture too is often shared online in a comical sense suggesting they are watering the plant even though it is raining. The picture along with couple of others was posted on the official website of the President of the Republic of Belarus president.gov.by. When the Turkmenistan President visited Belarus, he and Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko actually ‘planted and watered’ a tree on 11 May 2016 on the Alley of Distinguished Guests near the Palace of Independence in Minsk (see the other pictures). Since it started raining during the planting of the tree, the guards were holding umbrellas above them. Moreover, newly planted trees in general need to be watered, as light rain water of the kind seen in picture may not reach the bottom surface of the plant due to its spread branches.

Turkmenistan President and Belarus President watering the plantTurkmenistan President and Belarus President watering the plant

It’s a tradition for the heads of states visiting Belarus to plant a tree, as a symbol of longevity and loyalty between nations. Back in June 2015 when Indian President Pranab Mukherjee visited Belarus, he and Alexander Lukashenko planted a blue spruce at the Alley of Honoured Guests.